Longtime barber opens his own shop in Pittsfield

Garry Parsley cuts the hair of Pittsfield Mayor L. Daniel Bianchi on Thursday. Bianchi was Parsley’s first customer for his new barbershop at 21 First St.

Posted
Saturday, May 25, 2013 8:26 am

By John Sakata, Berkshire Eagle Staff

PITTSFIELD -- After more than two decades spent cutting hair, Garry Parsley has opened his own barbershop.

And a familiar face showed up on Thursday to be Garry's Barber Shop's first customer: Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi.

"Garry does the best he can with what he can work with," Bianchi quipped, evoking laughter from friends and customers in the new shop at 21 First St.

Bianchi, who has been a customer for the last four years, praised Parsley on his hair cutting and encyclopedic knowledge of wild mushrooms.

"I've got a great clientele after 25 years," Parsley said. "Everyone in town knows Garry the Barber."

The 53-year-old described his barbershop as the "first golf-themed barbershop, ever." The wood panel-stained walls were undecorated, but in time, he said, there will be a putting green in the shop. It would cost $1 per putt for a possible prize, with proceeds going to charity.

Parsley has previously worked at other Pittsfield-based barbershops.

He said he will offer hot lather shaves, and there will be warm coffee and doughnuts every morning for customers. There is parking available in the back of the store.

Parsley said that he will be hiring four new barbers.

The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Cuts for senior citizens cost $10. A regular cut is $13, and beards are $5.

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